Found in Australia, it was formally described as a new species in 2001 by lichenologists Ulrike Trinkaus, Helmut Mayrhofer, and John Elix.

The type specimen was collected in Yanchep National Park (Western Australia); here it was found growing on soft limestone.

It has also been recorded from South Australia, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory; preferred habitats are calcareous outcrops, on thin soil over limestone, or rarely on calcareous soil.

The lichen produces some secondary compounds: arthothelin as a major metabolite, and minor amounts of 4,5-dichloronorlichexanthone and thiophanic acid.

The specific epithet honours Western Australian botanist Alex George.